Sssense's Page

Freedom Noise


I walk the edges
of freedom
like a needle spinning a record
never making it to the end
because I forgot the words.

My voice cries out
freedom dreams
a gift brought in the night
by the sandman,
an old friend
who once promised me
the world.

I hold the mirror
in my hand
and let my eyes view
the American Dream
before it slips from my grasp
and shatters to the floor.

I see her pass my window
like a sentinel on the lookout.

She keeps pieces
of that broken image
her faded pink stockings
her almost white gloves
old friends that preserve
her elegance
in the streets
of her war.

Her heels click along
our sidewalks
like tambourines clanging
freedom noise
while the promise of rhythm
gives life to her chorus
as she sings.

She mumbles quiet
freedom cries
her wisdom wasted on
the liberated passers-by
lost friends don't hear her call
"never give up, never give in.